Dilator



ct. 6, 1931. l F. H. NEWTON 1,826,284

` DILATOR Filed Nov. l5, 1928 INVENTOR Patented Oct. 6, 1931 UNITED; STATES FRANK` H. NEWTON, or Los ANGELES, cAmEoENrA, AssIGNon To THE ELECTRO,

PAH-:Nr OFFICE rannali/IAE COMPANY, oEsTEUEENviLLE;oH1o,lA coEroEA'rIoN or oHIo DILAToE o Y Application-filed November 16, 1928. Serial No. 319,916.r

' My invention relates to the class of dilators adapted for use-in the rectal passage forexeroise" and stimulation, or in the treatment of hemorrhoidsby dilation and massage of the tissue. u o p One of the objects in vview is to provide an inflatable dilator sofconstructed that it may be mounted on a rigid supportoi applicator for insertion and inflation, with means for distending the dilator by air pressure around the applica-tor, and for release, by c0nvenientlyarranged valve and pressure applying mechanism; also, to so construct the dilator itself of rubber or other suitable elastic material,'that it `will dilate evenly all around, with an excess of expansion at the tip, and a limited expansion action at the base; with other features of improvement as hereinafter described.v o

One preferred embodiment of the ,invention is illustrated in the :accompanying drawings, in ,which'z` y X l p Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of the complete device ready for use;

view through the applicator and dilator combined and connectedv with the' pressure applying tube,

.1 Fig. 3 Vis a view similar to Fig. 2'lshowin'g '80 the dilator partly expanded; c

Fig. 4 is a cross sectionon the lineIV-IV ofFig.2; i. 1

Fig. 5 is' Aan enlarged sectional view T through the base-of the device, showing the '35 valve mechanism open forfexhaust of air; 5

Fig. 6 is a similar view, showing the valve in normal operative position for application and retention of. pressure.` Y

'Referring to the drawings, A generally refers to the operative portion of thefinvention 'in outside elevation, 'connected by a tube2 with the pressurek applying bulb 3 of well known construction, Vas commonly used in connection with a syringe or the like.

The combined applicator and dilator A consists of an inner supporting stem or base member l of hard rubber, or other suitable material, upon which is mounted the dilater' V member 5, made of soft rubber or other suit- Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectionalV The rear central base portion Y.of member 4 is reinforced, as at 8, by an annular-ly shoul-l dered rearextension, surrounding'the' central valve-receiving cavity, in which is inserted'the valve casing'), as in Figs. 5 and 6. Valve casing` 9 extends inwardly of the center portion of the base, and is provided `with a check-'valve 410 Ahaving a limited range of movement for seating upon and unsea'ting from the valve seat 11, for opening and clos ing the passage to atmospheric circulation inwardly and outwardly.

Valve 10 is providedwith a rearwardly extending stem 12 projecting part-way through the central opening of an outwardly extending bushing V13, toV which is attachedv by threaded connection 14 the inner end of a hollow terminal cage member 15.

Hose or tube connection 2 is attached to a lateral extensionfl thereof, having 'a communicating opening 17 leading vto the interior cavity 18 of cage 15, for free supply inwardly of atmospheric air under pressure of the bulb 3. A valve unseating stem 19 is threaded in the outer end of cage 15, and is provided with a terminal knurled thumb screw actuating portion 2O and an intervening rubber gasket 21. e .f

By releasing the stem 19, as in Figli, valve l() is rendered free to seat and unseatto receive and `hold air pressure to any desired Y degree? When the stem 19 is inserted, as in Fig. 5,the valve will be'lifted away from its seat, permitting free exhaust backwardly of the contained air, upon contraction to normal size of the rubber dilator` 5, as in F ig. 2. Threaded stem 19 is flattened along one side, as at 31,for escape .of air, and has a closing disk 32' for making an air tight seat when the stem is receded, as in Fig. 6. f

The applicator orsupporting member 4f is provided with a central port 22 leading from the valve controlled passageclear through to the tip of the applicator, with one or more sol laterally extending reduced ports 23 providing for free circulation of air at such peints, either in entering or passing from the surrounding space. The tip of the applicator 4: is somewhat enlarged in diameter beyond that of its main stein. portion, and formed in tapered pear-shaped, as at i4, in conformity with good practice, and providing for facility in putting the parts together and in connection with their intended use. e

The dilater 5 is reinforced or thickened vat its rear base portion 7, as shown, by material thickening of the walls around the disk G, so that when in position, the device will be firmly maintained in place, and will provide a comparatively rigid annular rounded edge rim portion as a limiting stop upon insertion of" the article.

The main middle body portion of the dilater 5 is in the form of an embracing tube, of comparatively thin wall section, loosely surrounding the applicator l and conforming to the circular cross section thereof throughout its length, with a slight intervening space Q5.

For the purpose of bracing the wall 5 at intervals around the interior applicator 4, and of' providing for free air circulation while the device is under pressure, and also for the further important purpose of stabilizing the dilater under pressure se that it will expand evenly all around and maintain a concentric relation to the applicator from end-to-end, the inner wall of the dilater is provided with a series of longitudinal ribs 26.

` These ribs, which may be of any suitable number, as five, are 'equally spaced around the inner surface of wall 5 throughout its middle portion, and bear lightly against the outer surface of the shank portion of applicator 4t, when the dilater is deflated. Vhen inflated, either partially or entirely, the tubular portion will expand away from such contact evenly all around on any particular transverse plane, due to the stabilizing and strengthening action of the ribs, avoiding unequal expansion atene side or the other.

The outer portion Z7 of the dilater, when contracted, generally conforms to the shape and outline of the pear-shaped terminal 24. The wall of portion 27 is slightly less in thickness than the main wall, and is preferably unprovided with the ribs, which terminate at the base of the enlargement and merge thereinto, as shown. The purpose of such difference in thickness of the wall is to permit of greater expansibility of the end portion of the dilater, when inflated, resulting in a relative enlargement thereof outwardly beyond the middle wall portion, as

indicated in Fig. o. The purpose of such construction is to provide for a massaging effect on the prostate gland, inwardly beyond the middle portion at the proper disi tance.

A further feature of novelty and advantage is in providing at the inner base portion of the dilater wall, immediately beyond its inner contacting engagement with disk (i, of an interior reinforced ring portion 28. Such ring portion, which is comparatively rigid, in comparison with the subsequent wall extension, is inwardly rounded as shown, merging into the main wall section 5 by an intervening comparatively thin annular connecting portion 29, outwardly bcyond an inner annular channel 80.

The purpose of such construction is to provide a comparatively sluggish resilient portion of the device adapted to expand outwardly with a slight pulsating action as atmospheric pressure is applied, tending to distend the inner base portion of the dilater against the sphincter muscle, with a limited stretching or massaging effect.

Thus, in distending the applicator, its outer portion will be enlarged bulbously,` with a somewhat limited distension of the middle annular Wall 5, and with a slight distension of such reinforced base portion upwardly and outwardly, in conformityfwith the extent to which the main distending pressure of air is applied by the bulb 3.

In using the device as thus constructed, stem 19 is receded away from interfering position with valve stem 12, by unscrewing the stem by finger terminal 20, as in Fig. 6. Thereupon, inflation pressure air is applied by operating the bulb to the desired extent, with intermittent pulsations, until the necessary distension is accomplished. Thereafter, when it is desired to discontinue application of the effect of the distended applicator, stem 19 is screwed inwardly, as in Fig. 5, positively unseating valve l0, and allowing for release of air. backwardly through tube 2 and the usual escape valve of the bull, assisted by the contractile action of the dilater walls, whereupon, the device may be removed.

Tube 2 is connected with the hollow interior of the valve casing by its attachment at right angles and closely adjacent to base 8, so that the tube is conveniently disposed with relation te the right angle center of the applicator for convenience in use, as will be readily understood.

The reinforced annular wall portion 7 of the dilater is amply stift` to maintain its grasping hold around the disk 6 when applied, but sufficiently' resilient to facilitate easy application or removal for any purpose. The device as a whole is comparatively simple, cheap and durable, and very effective in its manipulation, application and use.

It may be varied in design, proportions, or in other respects to adapt it to any desired modification in use, or otherwise, by the skilled mechanic, but all such changes are to be understood as within thescope of the following claims.

I claim:

l. A dilater of the class described comprising a centrally perforated supporting base member having a cylindrical tapered end body provided with an air inlet valve and an unseating device therefor, and an elastic covering for the base member provided with inner longitudinal ribs.

2. A dilator of the class described com prising a centrally perforated supporting base member having a cylindrical tapered end body provided with an air inlet valve and an unseating device therefor, and an elastic covering for the base member' provided with an inner annular reinforcing ring-like enlargement.

3. A dilator of the class described comprising a centrally perforated supporting base member having a cylindrical tapered end body provided with an air inlet valve and an unseating device therefor. and an elastic covering for the base member nrovided with a rear reinforced double sided clamping iiange engaging the base. a middle circular wall of reduced thickness. and a tapering tip portion of minimum thickness.

4. A dilator of the class described comprising a centrallv perforated supporting base member having a cylindrical tapered end body provided with an air inlet valve and an unseating device therefor. an elastic covering for the base member provided with a rear reinforced double sided clamping'- iange engaging the base. a. middle circular wall having inner longitudinal reinforcing ribs. and a tapering tip portion.

5. A rubber dilator for application and distension around a supporting base member as described. consisting of a. laterallv extending rear open-center double wall annular base for embracing attachment to an inner flange disk and having a middle tubular extension of reduced wall thickness provided with a series of inner longitudinal rein tor."- ing ribs and a terminal tapered tip of furtb er reduced wall thickness. 6. A rubber dilator for application and distension around a. supporting base member as described. consisting of a laterally extending rear onen-center double wall annular base for embracing attachmentto an inner flange disk and having a middle tubular eX- tension of reduced wall thickness, an inner annular reinforcing rib portion extending from the inner base member and merging intoV the tubular extension by a reduced thickness annular web portion, and a terminal tap-ered tip portion at the outer end of the tubular extension of relatively thin Wall section. Y

7. A rubber dilater of the class described consisting of aclosed and tapered hollow in- FRANK H. NEWTON. 

